Our Team

Hydrobiology was incorporated in 2001 by Andy Markham and Ross Smith who met in Papua New Guinea in 1991. By 2002 we had moved from home offices to a Milton, Brisbane premises where staff levels, turnover and global exporting activities expanded. In 2006 Hydrobiology established a Perth office, which reflected our geographic project spread across tropical and sub-tropical Australia. An office in Papua New Guinea closely followed in 2010. In 2018 we opened an office in Singapore to better service the Southeast Asian market.

Early company projects were a mixture of Local and State Government work in Queensland, Ports and resource projects in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. This diversification continued over time which has resulted in an extensive client base of high profile clients with a geographical reach that exceeds most of our peers. Our company works locally near the office bases, and in distant and remote areas where our expertise is required. These services are underpinned by investment in state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and support systems, and by ensuring senior staff are heavily involved in providing client services.

Dr Andy Markham is a Fluvial Geomorphologist, Surface Water Hydrologist and Chartered Environmental Scientist. He has a PhD in fluvial geomorphology from London University, over 30 years of experience and has worked on consulting assignments worldwide.

Dr Andy Markham

Director
Queensland

Dr Ross Smith has over 30 years’ experience as an aquatic ecologist/ecotoxicologist. He has specialist experience in responses of populations and communities of aquatic biota to environmental changes in a wide variety of freshwater and estuarine habitats, and possesses significant skills in univariate and multivariate statistical analysis techniques.

Dr Ross Smith

Director
Queensland

Phil has over 20 years of experience in the field of environmental impact assessment, study design and project management. He is a Chartered Chemist with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (MRACI CChem #32216) who specialises in environmental chemistry in both marine and freshwater environments. Phil has worked across Australia and internationally in the field including at some of the world’s major contaminated sites.

Phil Whittle

Director of Technical Services
Western Australia

Simon is a consulting ecologist with extensive experience in research and environmental consulting. His field of expertise includes aquatic, marine and terrestrial ecology with an emphasis on rigorous statistical designs. Simon also has experience in broader aspects of environmental management and approvals processes, and a healthy exposure to contaminated land management – both above and below the water.

Simon Drummond

Regional Manager
Southeast Asia

Dr Ben Pearson is an experienced geomorphologist, environmental consultant and advisor, with 15 years of industry experience. In his current role, Ben manages the Land and Water Management group at Hydrobiology, focusing on fluvial and coastal geomorphology, water quality, sediment transport processes and impact assessments.

Dr Ben Pearson

Technical Lead
Queensland

Dustin Hobbs is an environmental professional with 12 years’ consulting experience. In his current role, Dustin manages the Environmental Risk Assessment group at Hydrobiology, is a project manager for Australian and overseas clients and assists clients to understand their environmental obligations and develop and implement plans to achieve those goals in an environmentally and financially sustainable fashion.

Dustin Hobbs

Technical Lead
Queensland

Shirley is a Principal Marine Scientist with over 18 years post-graduate experience in environmental consulting. Her field of expertise includes marine and aquatic Ecology and Oceanography. Shirley is experienced in leading key technical studies required for environmental impact assessment and ongoing management of these projects to international standards.

Shirley Dawe

Regional Manager
Western Australia

Trang is an Environmental Chemistry Scientist with 10+ years’ experience in research and implementation research outcomes for resource industries. Her field of expertise includes analytical chemistry, geochemistry, bioavailability and metal/loid speciation studies. She has gained significant experience and knowledge on a number of projects focusing on the chemistry process of inorganic pollutants in water, sediment, tailings, soil and air. Trang’s works has focussed on understanding the impacts of pollutants associated with mining activities to aquatic ecosystem and human health.

Dr Trang Huynh

Technical Lead
Queensland

Justin is an environmental management and assessment professional with over 13 years of experience consulting to a wide range of industries. He has a proven track record delivering water resource projects for infrastructure, energy and mining industries in Queensland, the wider Australia-Pacific, South-east Asia and South America. His vast experience has allowed him to develop a sound understanding of legislative requirements relevant to environmental management and systems, environmental monitoring, and impact assessment. Justin also leads the Ecology and Biodiversity Management group.

Justin Cutajar

Principal Scientist & Team Lead
Queensland

Frances is a Senior Environmental Scientist with over nine years of experience in ecology and ecotoxicology. Her experience involves a wide range of projects from the tropics to polar environments in ecotoxicology, environmental risk assessment, impact assessment, critical habitat assessment, ecology and water quality. She has also completed a PhD in hydrocarbon ecotoxicology, focusing on the management of marine fuel spills in Antarctica.

Dr Frances Alexander

Senior Scientist
Queensland

Nadeeka is an Environmental Chemistry Scientist with 10+ years’ experience in research in the fields of Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry. She has a PhD in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, a Master of Science majoring in Environmental Science Specialisation in Water Quality Management and a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Chemistry. She has worked across Australia and internationally in the wide range of research projects in Environmental and Geochemical Investigations. Nadeeka is highly experienced in designing and implementing research projects to investigate the dynamic of trace metals, nutrients and other inorganic pollutants in water and sediment of coastal, marine, and freshwater ecosystems.

Dr Nadeeka Rathnayake

Scientist
Queensland

James Keating is a Principal Consultant with Hydrobiology with 15 years’ postgraduate experience including offshore renewable energy, ports, fisheries, mining, construction and oil & gas. James is responsible for environmental scoping, EIA and designing and implementing marine monitoring programs, ensuring the outputs meet the highest standard required for state and federal approvals.

Dr James Keating

Team Lead – Marine,
Principal Marine Scientist

Western Australia

Josh is part of the ecology and biodiversity management team and has over 10 years of professional experience in the ecological consulting industry after completing his BSc in Marine Biology from Swansea University. Josh has extensive experience in conducting ecological surveys, having collected samples from a range of different freshwater, estuarine, coastal and offshore environments. He has worked internationally on projects involving mines, ports and harbours, renewables, oil and gas, marine aggregates, fisheries, research and governmental work.

Josh Hatton

Senior Scientist
Queensland

Dr Sander Scheffers has over 25 years’ experience in marine and aquatic ecology, coastal geomorphology, physical/chemical oceanography, and coral reef biology. Sander has worked on most continents researching natural and human impacts on various marine/estuarine and freshwater habitats and organisms. Sander has extensive experience in monitoring and mapping (sub-)tropical benthic environments and water quality parameters. Sander has a portfolio of over 70 peer-reviewed papers and books.

Dr Sander Scheffers

Senior Technical Consultant
Western Australia

Nicole is a highly qualified geomorphologist who has been working in the environmental industry for the past 2 years. Nicole has a Masters in Geography specialising in fluvial geomorphology and has extensive experience in geomorphic assessments, River StylesTM catchment assessments, environmental monitoring programmes, UAV surveying, applied GIS spatial analysis and Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry. She has worked on projects in Australia, New Zealand, China and Brazil.

Nicole Wheeler

Scientist | Geomorphologist
Queensland

Woan Feei is currently pursuing her BSc (Hons) degree in Biological Sciences in Nanyang Technological University. Her academic background lies in environmental microbiology, microbes in natural ecosystems and environmental sustainability whilst majoring in tropical, marine and aquatic ecology. She is currently an Assistant Scientist with Hydrobiology and will be supporting the local office with ongoing aquatic ecology work. Her interest in nature spurs her into developing a career in this industry.

Woan Feei Liew

Environmental Consultant
Singapore

Jorja is a marine scientist with a background in marine ecology and fisheries science. She holds a BSc. (Honours) in marine science and applied statistics. Jorja has worked on a range of projects including marine environmental monitoring, impact assessments and renewable energy development.

Jorja Claybrook

Scientist
Western Australia

Wayne is a freshwater ecologist, with more than eight years of experience in lake research. He completed his PhD in Geography at the National University of Singapore. His thesis assessed the impacts of natural (climate) and human pressures (industry, land cover change, aquaculture) on water quality and freshwater ecology in Philippine lakes.

Dr Wayne Bannister

Senior Environmental Consultant
South East Asia

Amanda has over 19 years of Office Administration and Executive Assistance experience, providing high-level, overall office administration and business services support. Amanda’s areas of expertise include; Executive Administrative Assistance, Business Process and Improvement Development, Document Management, Formatting & Quality Assurance, Stakeholder Engagement, Schedule Management, Human Resources, Events Coordination, Front Office Management and Reception.

Amanda Sillman

QLD Lead- Business Promotions & Culture
Queensland

Sam is an aquatic scientist with a background in aquaculture, aquatic faunal surveys, and water quality monitoring. He has worked on numerous wetland and catchment water quality projects. His current PhD thesis at Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia focuses on investigating the change in the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage in the Swan Canning Estuary in relation to changing hydrological and biogeochemical conditions.

Sam Robinson

Aquatic Scientist
Western Australia

Kesia is a Marine Biologist with a Master of Research in Environmental Science, where she investigated best practices for use of photogrammetry in turbid water environments. Kesia has experience in marine environmental monitoring, marine ecology and structure-from-motion photogrammetry in marine environments.

Kesia Savill

Environmental Scientist
Western Australia

Pusparani is currently pursuing her Diploma in Human Resources and Psychology and her academic background lies in Business Administration. Pusparani has over 16 years Office Administration and Executive Assistance experience, providing high level, overall office administration management. Her experience also includes ISO & Risk Assessment Management representation, Business Process and Improvement Development, Human Resources, Event Coordination and accounts.

Pusparani Anbanathan

Administrative Officer
Singapore

Chamantha is an Environment Scientist specialising in catchment science. Chamantha has strong technical skills in GIS and remote sensing in the field of environment and catchment management. Chamantha is a part of Land and Water Management Team and is involved with projects related to waterway processes and management, locally and internationally.

Chamantha Athapaththu

Scientist
Queensland

Elisa has a Master’s in Human Resources Management and over 20 years of experience as a Human Resources Manager and Office Administrator in Spain and Australia, working in the IT, educational, and consultancy industries.

Elisa Fuentes

Health and Safety Lead WA
Office Systems Coordinator
Western Australia

Jack Clothier is an experienced geomorphologist and geospatial scientist. He has a Bachelor of Science (Hons), specialising in fluvial geomorphology and geospatial sciences with >3 years of industry experience across Australia & New Zealand. Jack has extensive experience in applied fluvial geomorphology, drawing on techniques such as remote sensing, hydrological model interpretation, and in-situ field interpretation of landforms.

Jack Clothier

Scientist – Fluvial Geomorphologist
Queensland

Matthew has a unique background in marine science and finance which has given him a comprehensive understanding of environmental science as well as the socio-economic and cultural significance of effective management of natural systems. Matthew has diverse industry experience, having developed a range of technical environmental skills and contributing to projects involving Natural and Nature Based Design, sustainability, and ESG.

Matt Germs

Marine Scientist
Western Australia

Ophelia is an Assistant Scientist pursuing her undergraduate Bachelor of Environmental Studies in National University of Singapore. She has a strong academic background in environmental geography, covering aspects like environmental science, geomorphology, applied biogeography and GIS. She had her research project carried out in Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin, on mangrove ecological engineering.

Ophelia Ong

Assistant Scientist
Singapore

Newton Barbosa, a PhD in Ecology with a Bachelor’s in Veterinary, is an experienced environmental and sustainability expert. He boasts a diverse portfolio of biotic surveys, monitoring, and risk analysis projects. Skilled in data analysis and ecological modeling, he’s renowned for innovative contributions. His proficiency in ESG enhances his ability to provide holistic solutions, supported by substantial teaching experience.

Dr Newton Barbosa

LATAM Lead
Brazil

Vee is an environmental scientist with a background in environmental monitoring and management planning and hydrographic surveying. His professional experiences include environmental impact research and working on dredging/reclamation projects. His academic background is in the earth sciences and he holds a master’s degree in hydrogeology.

Vee Chak

Environmental Consultant
Singapore

Maddison is an early career Ecologist with a terrestrial background within the EBM Team. She has completed a Bachelor of Advanced Science with Honours and for the last two years, Maddison has been working in the environmental industry. She has been involved in threatened species and ecological monitoring projects, aquatic and terrestrial baseline assessments and environmental impact assessments.

Maddison Stuart

Scientist
Queensland

Yusof Arshad is an environmental consultant with a background in marine ecology and ecosystems. He has worked on coral propagation and reef monitoring projects in the SEA region. Having completed his degree in Business and Environmental Science at James Cook University, one of his research projects was studying the role seagrass had on fish communities in Singapore.

Yusof Arshad

Environmental Consultant
Singapore

Yannis has over 4 years of Office Administration experience and has mainly worked within non-government funded organizations in Hong Kong.  She has previously worked within financial based companies and has provided assistance with business communication services, through the implementation of online marketing channels. Yannis obtained her Bachelor of Arts Major in Communication Studies from UWA.  She also has expertise in liaising with stakeholders and providing overall administration support.

Yannis Tse

Administration Assistant
Queensland

Matt is an Aquatic Scientist in the Ecology and Biodiversity Management team and holds an Honour’s degree in Environmental Science from UQ. Matt comes from a research background, where he focussed on evaluating herbicide tolerance of native and invasive macrophytes. He has also previously worked as an environmental consultant, dealing with environmental approvals and compliance for many large mining and renewable projects.

Matt McVay

Aquatic Scientist
Queensland

With 15 years in aquatic ecology, Brad excels in leading surveys across freshwater, estuarine, and coastal regions in Australia and Papua New Guinea. His expertise includes ecological and physicochemical assessment methods, real-time water quality monitoring, sediment analysis, and skill in univariate and multivariate ecological data analysis..

Brad Hiles

Scientist – Aquatic Ecologist
Queensland

Melisa is an Aquatic scientist in the Ecology and Biodiversity Management team and holds a Bachelor of Science with majors in wildlife and marine biology. Melisa also holds a certification in veterinary nursing and previously worked as a junior ecologist and fauna spotter across multiple projects including large mining projects, waterway restoration and endangered species monitoring.

Melisa Iglic

Aquatic Scientist
Queensland

Astri is an environmental consultant with a background in marine ecology and environmental management. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a minor in Aquatic Ecology and a master’s degree in marine conservation. She also has experience carrying out urban ecology research. Her passion and strengths lie within conducting field research surrounding tropical marine ecosystems, and marine conservation planning, management, and monitoring.

Astri Noorbaini

Environmental Consultant
Singapore

Patricia is an Oceanographer with a MSc degree in Animal Biology. While in University, she actively participated in the activities of the Benthic Ecology Laboratory, focusing on the conservation, diversity, and dynamics of coastal benthic ecology. She works on multiple survey investigations of marine environments, particularly regarding water and sediment quality impacts and provides logistics and technical support to Hydrobiology programs as required.

Patricia Stelzar

Project Coordinator | Scientist
Brazil

Professional Associations

Hydrobiology and staff maintain professional affiliations and associations with leading peak representative bodies, and regularly present at international conferences. One of our Directors was 2015 President of Science and Technology Australia, another is an Assessor for the Royal Geographic Society of London. Staff members are active in a variety of forums, including sitting on society management committees.

  • Australia – PNG Association
  • Singapore Water Association
  • Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
  • PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum
  • Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
  • Royal Geographic Society of London & Queensland
  • Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ)
  • European Geosciences Union
  • International Mine Water Association
  • International Society of Trace Element Biogeochemistry
  • Ecological Society of Australia
  • Royal Australian Chemical Institute
  • Australian Society for Limnology
  • Australian Marine Sciences Association
  • Environmental Consultants Association (WA)
  • Society of Conservation Biology
  • Australian Water Association
  • River Basin Management Society
  • Australian and New Zealand Geomorphology Group
  • Australian Institute of Biology
  • Australian Society for Fish Biology
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science